Mouth breathing and functional speech sound disorders in children: A correlational analysis
10.3760/cma.j.cn421666-20240406-00233
- VernacularTitle:口呼吸与儿童功能性语音障碍的相关性分析
- Author:
Yanna WANG
1
;
Xuan LI
;
Jun WANG
;
Xing JIN
;
Xinyi HU
;
Tongjie YAO
;
Ping WAN
Author Information
1. 复旦大学附属儿科医院康复科，上海 201102
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Mouth breathing;
Functional speech disorders;
Sound disorders;
Children
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2025;47(7):619-623
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the association between mouth breathing (MB) and functional speech sound disorders (FSSDs) in children, aiming to establish a novel theoretical basis for FSSD interventions.Methods:Eighty-nine children with an FSSD aged 4-12 years formed the FSSD group, while eighty-five age-matched healthy children served as controls. Their clinical data were processed using independent sample t-tests and chi-square tests to test for any significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender, age, mouth breathing status, post-frenotomy condition, Mandarin exposure before age 4, and delayed speech onset. Multivariate logistic regressions were evaluated to identify risk factors for FSSD in such children and to seek any association between mouth brea-thing and FSSD.Results:The regression analysis identified the following risk factors for childhood FSSD, ranked by odds ratio ( OR) magnitude: mouth breathing (adjusted OR=22.168, 95% CI=7.849-62.608, P≤0.01), delayed speech onset (adjusted OR=20.091, 95% CI=4.812-83.878, P≤0.01), age (a protective effect) (adjusted OR=0.979, 95% CI=0.962-0.997, P≤0.05). Univariate analysis of mouth breathing and associated factors revealed significant associations of FSSD with mouth breathing (χ 2=52.15, P≤0.01) and delayed speech onset (χ 2=25.873, P≤0.01). Conclusions:The significant risk factors for childhood functional speech sound disorders are mouth breathing (showing the highest adjusted OR), delayed speech onset and age. These findings suggest that early screening and therapeutic interventions for mouth breathing should be clinically prioritized to minimize FSSD risk.
